Table 1 shows one common structure related problems of the 2020 Tesla Model X.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Body problems |
On 03/13/2026, while driving my 2020 Tesla Model X at approximately 65 mph on a freeway, the front hood (frunk lid) suddenly flew open without warning and slammed into the windshield. The hood rotated upward violently and struck the windshield completely blocking the driver’s forward visibility. This created an immediate safety hazard while traveling at highway speed. Prior to the incident there were no warning messages or alerts displayed on the vehicle screen indicating that the hood was open or improperly latched. Tesla vehicles normally provide a dashboard and a sound alert if the hood is not properly latched before driving. No such warning occurred. The vehicle’s front camera recorded the incident. The video does not show any hood movement or flutter prior to the failure, suggesting that the hood was fully closed before the event. After the incident, Tesla service personnel inspected the vehicle. The technician stated that the hood may not have been properly latched prior to driving. However: the vehicle gave no dashboard warning no hood movement or vibration was visible prior to the event the hood opened suddenly and violently rather than gradually if the secondary latch alone had been holding the hood, some hood movement or vibration would normally be expected prior to full release. Safety concern a hood opening at highway speed that: occurs without warning results in complete loss of forward visibility presents a severe safety risk to the driver and surrounding traffic. This type of failure could easily cause a high-speed crash. Video evidence of the incident [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
I am submitting information regarding repair access and repair estimate concerns involving a Tesla vehicle after a collision. During an insurance claim handled by Tesla insurance company, a repair estimate from a Tesla-preferred repair facility was used to declare the vehicle a total loss. However, a manufacturer-owned repair facility estimate would be significantly lower and could make the vehicle repairable. When I attempted to obtain an inspection and estimate from a Tesla manufacturer repair facility, the appointment was cancelled after communication between the insurance company and the repair facility. This prevented me from obtaining a competing repair estimate. Because Tesla operates the vehicle manufacturing, repair network, and insurance services within the same ecosystem, I am submitting this information for review regarding potential impacts on repair access, repairability, and consumer choice.
I went over a dip (not even a speed hump, but a dip in the pavement) in a parking lot and the front passenger side sounded like the suspension broke. From there every turn or small bump sounded as though metal was on metal. I messaged Tesla to get an appointment to look at it, but they had no appointments for 2 weeks. Feeling as though the car was unsafe to drive while waiting for my appointment, I took it a local Tesla approved repair shop. They told me the bolt that holds the front passenger side of the front subframe and chassis was sheared. After that shop looked at it I had it towed to Tesla, hopeful they would repair it since my warranty expired in June 2024. I have a screen shot of Teslas message stating "the sound is coming from where the sway bar mount, front subframe, and chassis meet. The bolt is broken in the inside the chassis and vehicle will need to go to a body shop to be repaired," seeing as I did not have an accident or hit anything this seems like a poor design. No body shop wanted to fix it because it was not in an accident. I reached out to Tesla to ask if this was common issue, but they did not answer that question. Online there are several forums with Model X owners experiencing the same issue. This is a very expensive repair ($3500-$4000). My warranty was for 4 years/50k miles. My car has 51k and expired in June 2024. When the shop that is doing the repairs asked the Tesla parts department if this was an issue with this model, they said the car has too much torque and it shears the bolts. This is dangerous. My front end could have come off, this could have caused a major accident. The car is not safe to drive and they told me the front passenger side frame could have come off the car. Please consider a recall to fix this for others for safety there were no warnings from the car that anything was wrong at any point.
On at least 3 separate occasions, we parked the vehicle in a lot with no cars or obstructions nearby. We attemped to open the falcon doors to get our baby out and they would not open signalling an 'obstruction'. Then we attempted to override the obstruction and it refused to override. We had to remove our baby out of the front of the vehicle. I've reached out to Tesla for over one month with zero support.
On 10/27/23, traveling south from 885 to merge onto I-40 east via the on-ramp, we hit a rough patch of road with potholes/ruts at the shoulder. There was a loud bang, we felt the front of the car drop, and felt an immediate change in steering/stability. We could hear loud scraping/grinding noises, and we pulled to the shoulder as quickly as we could. At first we suspected a flat tire, however the tires were all fine. We could hear air hissing coming from under the car when the ignition was on. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla service center. We learned that the front driver-side suspension had failed and broke through the surrounding strut tower. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and was sold at a salvage auction, however we do still have the broken part of the strut tower if needed for inspection. Our safety and that of other drivers on the road was put at risk in this event. If we had been traveling on a tighter curve or at a higher speed, we could have lost control of the vehicle and resulted in a crash. We were stranded on the side of a busy highway onramp at night when this incident occurred, which was also unsafe. Unknown if the problem has been reproduced by a dealer or service center. Our understanding is that Tesla is already aware of the suspension issues. The vehicle was inspected by Tesla's raleigh service center, by erie insurance, and by a local, telsa-authorized body shop (relentless collision). They confirmed the suspension and strut tower failure. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to or at the time of failure. After the car was towed to Tesla, a service center representative mentioned that the computer system showed a suspension failure/error message, but we explained that no such warnings came up at the time of the incident.
The vehicle's a/c system was not working as intended, noticing air is blowing very weak. The vehicle was took to Tesla service center and was told that rodents had gotten into the vehicle (not sure how) and chewed wire systems and air filters. Tesla reports the damages affected a/c systems and electrical control for the vehicle including auto pilot assistant. Cost of repair was $2020. 17, not covered by Tesla insurance.
The rear back doors will not open. The car's computer says an obstacle is detected however there is no obstacle in the way of the doors. (I have a video to prove my claim) the safety of my passengers in the rear seat are at risk as they can not exit the car through the rear door. I have had the vehicle inspected by the dealer (Tesla) however they said they can not recreate what has happened. The warning light "obstacle detected" appeared however there was no obstacle in the way. After rebooting the car's computer it still happened. I was able to drive the vehicle to another location and try the back doors and then they finally opened. I feel the back doors should open any time and any place when the car is in park.
The side mirrors opened unexpectedly while backing out of the garage causing damage to the right side mirror. The side mirrors typically opens after we have driven a few feet from our house. I reported the issue to Tesla with date and time of the incident, Tesla representative confirmed that the car computer gave a command to open the mirror but unable to explain any further root cause analysis and taking responsibility for the glitch that caused the damage. Tesla declined to state this in writing. The real concern is what is Tesla's responsibility when a serious crash and damage happens due to another glitch. Additionally Tesla is not being transparent and decline to take responsibility for defects in their product.
Rear passager falcon door does not consistently close on on the first attempt. Would need a second or multiple pressing of the button to close. The wing door scrapes the c- pillar and is misaligned. Apparently, there is a flaw in the calibration and sensors. Every time I close the wing, I have to wait around to make sure it is completely closed. Frequently, the wing just gets stuck halfway and the passenger has to go over the side to exit or enter. The other door operates perfectly fine. This is unsafe because it makes it more difficult for passengers to get out of the car if the door refuses to open or close completely as it should. Have taken the vehicle to the service center and complained multiple times. Telsa simply says it operates within their standards, which is absurd. They suggest cutting the glass on the c pillar to stop the scraping, and pay for it out of my own pocket even though it's still under warranty.
After I put my car in park mood . . Within few second car started taking off speeding over the grass /plants area of parking lot in to the office unite ( meta/ glass door ) shattering glass was all over broke through frame work of the office unite all the way to the examination chair of dr office . . Had there be any worker / patient/ dr in the unitr someone would have been dead or injured . . I am scared for my life to drive this car around after police & fire department arrived at the scene I was informed by firefighters that code they were called in to a house near me for another Tesla speeding through the garage to the living room of the house I believe there is defects in these cars as most of complaints file 2020 has reported same issue . . I received my car in the middle of pandemic where no body walked me through this car so I had any idea there has been injury and death reports as well . .